Thursday, 3 April 2008

The First Year

This week I want to write about my first year of writing for the Northern Watch. This column is actually overdue because my paper anniversary with the newspaper actually occurred in January. I missed this more appropriate time because there were too many other good topics about which to write. This week I am empty for fresh ideas so this one wins by default; with standards now set low, let us begin.

I started writing for the ‘Watch after they published a story about a book of “Rural Reflections” columns that I had published. I remember hoping that the people I’d always written about in my past columns would still want to be included; a problem I solved by simply not asking for their permission which seems to have worked out fine. Over the past year your have met my family, friends, cats dogs and even a particularly under-achieving group of aliens who came to visit me in the sugar beet fields near Warren during Halloween. The letters I send to my brother, Dave, are a window into our relationship and a good opportunity to tell you what is on my mind. Letters to Dave are so enjoyable to write that if I didn’t actually have a brother, like David then I would have had to adopt one.

I’ve introduced you to some new characters along the way such as Travis Black. Travis is a very content person and finds peace in the simple things of life and writing about him is a way to remind readers to keep life simple and seek happiness in it’s purest form. I suspect we haven’t read the last of Travis, the walleye spinners he ties, the fish he catches or the life he lives.

I have written about my dad several times in the past but had never written about my mom until this past year. I guess her cooking made quite an impact on me and the column I wrote about her field and pail lunches struck a chord with a lot of people. Mom gave me a love of good food but my love of beer and coffee were something I located by myself. I know I sound passionate about these two drinks but I have recently begun and romance with cheese and plan to start making it at home, I’m sure columns about this topic will be a full of passion and love as any about that which I consume.

You briefly met our dog, Muffin, prior to our sad, last trip to the veterinarian last summer. Our cats are frequent subjects as are the cattle out in the pasture, all of whom keep us close to the land, give us someone to care for and restore faith in the world after a day at work . Recent studies have found that those who own cats suffer less from strokes and live healthier lives; I could have told them that and have indeed done so in my column.

Here’s the thing; I am not an expert on anything but my own life. I use my common sense, traditional beliefs and a love for those I write about to express the life I live or aspire to live. I think I remind myself how good life is with every column and how lucky I am to write something that people can read. Season one is finished, let’s start the second year.

Posted by Grant Nelson at 12:34 PM CDT | Post Comment | Permalink

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